Monster Rancher Info Guide

Monster Rancher is a Playstation 'sim' that lets you raise a monster on your ranch and have it fight in tournaments in order to become a Master Breeder. It's not as easy as it looks, though. You'll have to train your monster and keep him healthy, as well as having him progress through rankings from E level to A level, as well as the 4 Special Rings to gain S (Master) level. There's a bit more to this, but I'll tell you soon.

When you start off, you'll notice a Shrine. There, you can try getting the monster you like instead of starting off with the three basic monsters in the Market. There are about 12 breeds obtainable, each with about 11 sub-breeds. The sub-breeds are often a different take on the original, combining the skin and charateristics of a different breed with the body of the original. Example: A pure Jell is combined with a pure Golem. One of the results is a Fencer (Golem Jell, very much resembles a living pile of rocks.) Different results can come out of this. (To combine, you have to freeze two monsters at the lab and combine from there. Extra stuff, like the CD Fragments, can be added to produce a different range of combos.)

Yes, Virgina, there are hidden monsters in Monster Rancher. Some can be seen, others will need to be brought into the light. I've only heard of some, but as I progress, I'll put down more. They can be combined with certain other monsters to produce new variants.

Ape Monsters

The only way to get the ability to make one is to go and explore the Jungles down south. There, in a certain place, is a Magic Banana. Teseca will tell you about the Ape Monsters after you return from the jungles, but for info's sake, I'll just say this: You need two spoiled monsters to create an Ape. Best way is, if you're treating your monsters right, is to make two new ones and give him treats and stuff to make him happy. Soon, you spoil the poor buggers. Once you do, freeze 'em and do a Combine with the Banana. Good luck, since they're hard to deal with...

Magic Monsters

Quite rare, they are egmatic and reclusive. Legends say that they're quite shy and often disguise themselves as either a Gali or a Monol to be with humans. They will come out, though, if an Old Mirror, found in the Temple ruins of Titus, is used when a pure Monol and a pure Gali is combined.

Dragons

Now this one can be seen and can only be obtainable when you win the Trial Cup in April, 2nd week. Now, it's a battle, but the special monster in it should be rated B. It's huge, a head taller than a Golem, and wings to match. Plus, it hits harder than the same monster who's competing in the Trial tournament. If you win, you'll be invited to a one-round match so you can breed one. Go see for yourself.

Henger

This is a special monster that looks like a robot. The way to get it is to obtain the five parts of the Henger Doll (four found in the Reno Ruins, the head after winning an invitational) I don't know what else is after that...

Nya

(submitted by Thentavius, changes by Sean M.)

After a certain period of time, the Item shop begins offering a new item: "the Cat Doll." If you purchase a cat doll (which is yellow and very much resembles the cat in the B-level trial cup) and then "use" it as an item when you combine two monsters, you'll get a Nya Nya Nya. It's basically a giant cat doll monster. If you combine two monsters of reasonable strength (say, at least Class B), the Nya will be VERY tough, even from the start. After that, you can then combine your yellow Nya with just about any other mosnter and get a Nya/something.